Mechanical Engineer - Design & Simulation

About Focused Energy

Focused Energy is building the future of clean energy through laser-driven inertial fusion. Backed by our $240M Series A - the largest fully secured Series A in the global fusion industry we are scaling rapidly across multiple geographies.

Based in Germany and the US, we have brought together the top scientific and engineering minds using proven technologies to unlock fusion power at commercial scale. Focused Energy is working to realize game-changing scientific innovation that promises to deliver a clean, sustainable and abundant source of power globally.

About the Role

As a Mechanical Engineer – Design & Simulation, you’ll perform engineering analysis and simulation work across Focused Energy projects, helping design and validate complex mechanical systems before hardware is committed. You’ll provide the analytical confidence needed to make sound design decisions across structural, thermal, dynamic, and fluid-system performance.

Working closely with senior mechanical engineers, systems engineers, project teams, and other engineering disciplines, you’ll use modelling and simulation to identify design risks early, recommend mitigations, and ensure mechanical designs are technically sound, manufacturable, safe, and ready for integration. Your work will contribute to systems including vacuum chambers, laser integration, diagnostic structures, and facility infrastructure.

What You’ll Do

• Perform structural, mechanical, and thermal analysis using FEA tools such as ANSYS, Abaqus, COMSOL, or equivalent.

• Carry out fluid-system analysis and thermal modelling to support mechanical design decisions.

• Assess vibration, stability, and dynamic behaviour of mechanical assemblies and identify potential design risks.

• Validate simulation outputs against design requirements, engineering standards, and expected operating conditions.

• Translate analysis results into practical design recommendations that improve performance, safety, manufacturability, and system compatibility.

• Develop and maintain 3D CAD models and engineering drawings using Autodesk Inventor or a similar tool.

• Define and execute verification activities, prepare analysis reports, and provide simulation evidence for design reviews.

• Collaborate with mechanical, systems, and project engineering teams to define interfaces, communicate results, and support multidisciplinary design decisions.

Who You Are

• You are an analytical and technically rigorous mechanical engineer who enjoys solving complex engineering problems through modelling and simulation.

• You take a methodical approach to setting up analyses, checking assumptions, interpreting results, and documenting conclusions.

• You can translate complex simulation outputs into clear, actionable engineering decisions.

• You identify design risks early and proactively propose practical mitigation strategies.

• You communicate clearly with both technical and non-technical stakeholders, adapting the level of detail to the audience.

• You collaborate effectively across mechanical, systems, and project engineering disciplines.

• You take ownership of the quality, traceability, and accuracy of your analysis work and design evidence.

• You are detail-oriented and committed to applying sound engineering fundamentals and standards consistently.

Desirable Skills & Knowledge

• Experience performing structural, thermal, dynamic, and fluid-system analysis in a professional mechanical engineering environment.

• Proficiency with FEA tools such as ANSYS, Abaqus, COMSOL, or equivalent, together with experience validating and documenting simulation results.

• Experience with 3D CAD tools, preferably Autodesk Inventor, and the ability to connect analysis outputs with practical mechanical design decisions.

• Knowledge of CFD tools such as ANSYS Fluent or OpenFOAM, vacuum or cryogenic mechanical systems, laser or optical integration, or scientific instrumentation.

• Familiarity with design for manufacture and assembly (DFMA), prototype build and commissioning support, verification planning, and engineering documentation in experimental or multidisciplinary environments.

What We Offer

• Innovative Technology & Mission: Be part of a cutting-edge company working on groundbreaking research in clean energy and scientific discovery.

• Career Development: We invest in our people. This is an opportunity to join an early, growing company at the forefront of new technology, where you’ll have the opportunity to develop and grow your career.

• Collaborative Culture: Work with great people in a dynamic, international environment with top-tier scientists, engineers and professionals passionate about solving global challenges.

• Ownership: Take ownership from day 1 and drive impact by making decisions, solving challenges and shaping the future of our company.

• Your Success is our Success: We offer a competitive salary and company ownership in the form of stock options, giving you a direct stake in our success and ownership in what we build together.

• Vacation Days: We support your work-life-balance by granting you 30 days of vacation per year.

• Snacks and Drinks: Our office fridges are never empty. Enjoy our healthy snacks and drinks. Our Darmstadt office even offers a canteen with delicious lunch options daily.

• Retirement Plan: If you decide for a private pension plan, we will finance 20% on top of your monthly contributions, plus loyalty incentives.

• Equipment: We offer state-of-the-art Windows or Apple Laptops. In addition, you will receive a keyboard, mouse and headset so you are fully equipped from day 1.

• Events: We organize regular events to foster team bonding, encourage collaboration, and build a strong, supportive company culture. Connect with colleagues across departments, share ideas, and have fun together, both in and outside of the workplace.

• Mobility with NAVIT: We partner with NAVIT to support your flexible commuting needs whether it’s a public transportation ticket, taxi rides or car-sharing you choose what fits your lifestyle.

• Fitness with Wellhub: We care about your health. Get access to a wide range of gyms, fitness studios and wellness services across Europe through our partnership with Wellhub.

Focused Energy is an equal opportunity employer committed to creating an inclusive environment. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender perception or identity, national origin, age, marital status, protected veteran status, or disability status.

Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, Focused Energy will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Compensation offered will be determined by factors such as location, level, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. Certain roles may be eligible for incentive compensation, equity, benefits.